If we want them to stay, we need to teach who they are

This presentation focuses on the students in front of us and the growing mismatch between their communication preferences and how we’ve traditionally taught languages. It will explore why many students are disconnecting from Languages and why, despite our best efforts, doing more of the same isn’t working. Instead, teachers will be invited to innovate: stop doing what no longer works, and start building classrooms that are more emotionally safe, relevant, genuinely engaging, and deeply relational.

Attendees will walk away inspired to rethink what it truly means to teach Languages today. You will gain clarity on why students are opting out, how current practices often miss the mark, and what small but powerful shifts can help us reconnect with learners who are quietly overwhelmed but full of potential.